Port workers are set to embark on nationwide protests on Tuesday over their disagreement with some sections of the Ports and Harbour Bill, which they observed could lead to massive job losses.
A source close to the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) told the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos that the protests would take place simultaneously in all the seaports.
The source said that the union observed inherent dangers in the bill which was recently passed by the Senate.
He said that the protests were being jointly organised by the MWUN and the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC), Maritime Branch.
According to the source, the decision to embark on the mass protest was because there had been no response from the National Assembly since the two unions wrote a letter opposing some sections of the Ports and Harbour Bill.
NAN reports that the Ports and Harbour Authority Bill which seeks to repeal the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, 1955 as amended, has been passed by the Senate and is awaiting concurrent passage by the House of Representatives.
The MWUN had earlier petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, saying that the bill would lead to massive job losses for NPA workers.
The union also pointed out several economic and security implications of the bill, if passed.
Secretary-General of MWUN, Mr Felix Akingboye, confirmed the imminent protests, but refused to give details.
“We are mobilising our members in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri and Calabar, for the demonstration.
“The protests will hold simultaneously in all the ports from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday,’’ Akingboye said.
“We are opposed to any attempt to further strip Nigerians of their rights through further concession in the guise of amending the NPA Act, 1955 as amended,’’ he said.
According to him, “Harbour operations are a major revenue earner for the NPA and by extension, the Federal Government, without taking into consideration the security implications to the country and of course the job losses, as done during the concession exercise”.
He advised that government should avoid the mistakes of the port concession of 2006, which led to the sack of 12,000 NPA workers. (NAN)
